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Societal Hierarchy and the Health Olympics

Description:

Why would income equity — the width of the gap between the very rich and the very poor — have such a profound effect on the health of the population? And why does this influence on health affect the wealthiest countries as well as the poorest? Several reasons have been advanced, including stress and its biologic effects on the distribution of risk factors, the level of support for positive early childhood development, the availability of acute health care and emergency services, and finally the organization of health services, particularly primary health care and services for children.

Primary Toolkit:

Health Equity and Social Justice Toolkit

Keyword Area:

Health Equity, Social Justice

Jurisdiction:

Institutional Author:

Stephen Bezruchka

Submitted:

09/22/2010

Modified:

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